Good morning,
Making steady progress...
"title_string"=Battle of France (RAF) - German troops at Maastricht
"summary_string"=Attention, pilots! We will not stand by & allow the Germans to advance through Maastricht without a fight! You'll begin the effort by attacking bridges over the Albert Canal the Germans have captured. We will be supported by 110 Squadron; they'll hit Wehrmacht columns advancing into Belgium. Let's put in a good show and hit our targets hard to set things off on the right foot!
"objective_string"=Beginning the afternoon of 11 May 1940, the Royal Air Force made a concerted effort thru 12 May to halt the Germans from pushing beyond Maastricht. During the late afternoon, eleven bombers of 110 Squadron, followed soon after by twelve bombers of 21 Squadron, raided Maastricht from altitude. Very heavy flak was encountered, and it appears a total of two Blenheims from these two raids were shot down; eight others were damaged. Some info from this raid is unclear; it appears 110 Squadron raided the bridges over the Albert Canal while 21 Squadron flew into Belgium to raid the advancing German columns. This whole effort caused little to no damage.
"intelligence_string"=After getting airborne, you will climb up to Angels 15; we believe that this height will keep you above heavy enemy flak. As you approach Maastricht, the squadron will separate into flights of four to raid the bridges at Veldwezel, Vroenhoven, and Kanne. After you release your bombs, clear the city & the Albert Canal by flying west, then cross the North Sea to reach England. Make sure not to linger over the target; we will need all of our assets available to maintain heavy pressure against the Germans!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Blenheim Mk4-1 139 Sqn
"airfield_string"=England - Bodney
"title_string"=Battle of France (RAF) - Their bravery unquestioned
"summary_string"=Listen, chaps! Our determined effort to knock out the bridges has not borne out yet, so 12 Squadron will seize this opportunity and succeed where the other squadrons have not. Your Battles will target the intact bridges at Vroenhoven and Veldwezel; let's destroy these bridges and put an end to this madness!
"objective_string"=This mission is an amalgam of three raids flown by the RAF the evening of 11 May and the morning of 12 May. The Blenheim strike at altitude represents the effort of 139 Squadron, which suffered heavy loss without any escort when Bf-109s intercepted, while the Battles include three from 88 Squadron, flown on 11 May with four Hurricanes for escort from 607 Squadron, as well as three Battles from 103 Squadron & six Battles from 12 Squadron. Of the twelve Battles, five were shot down, one was forced to abort, & the others had varying amounts of damage. In addition, seven of 139 Squadron's Blenheims also failed to return.
"intelligence_string"=Once airborne, you will head northeast toward the Albert Canal. En route, a flight of Hurricanes will provide escort. To split defensive fire, Blenheims will attack from altitude. Target the main span of these bridges for maximum effect, but be wary of enemy interception; raids in this area are close to Germany. Once you release, clear out and get back to base; let's hope the Hurricanes can provide you effecitve cover!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Battle Mk1
"airfield_string"=France - Juvincourt
"title_string"=Battle of France (RAF) - Last chapter over Maastricht
"summary_string"=Attention, pilots! This will be our final attempt at destroying bridges over the Albert Canal, because Bomber Command wants to be ready to strike when German forces make their move into France. Let's be sure to succeed on this final attempt, because we will surely need to knock out bridges again to prevent further German advances!
"objective_string"=On the morning of 12 May, a total of twenty-four Blenheim bombers from 15 and 107 Squadrons left England to raid the bridges over the Albert Canal at altitude, close to the time the Battles attacked the same area at low level. They were supposed to link up with Hurricanes from 85 and 87 Squadron, but the fighters were intercepted over Liège. The Blenheims didn't run into any fighters due to this, but ten of twenty-four Blenheims failed to return due to flak damage. Though the Blenheims dropped nearly one hundred bombs, not a single one hit the bridges. After the two morning strikes, the British took no further action.
"intelligence_string"=After getting airborne, you will climb to Angels 18 & head to the Flemish coast. This will position you to attack from the west, whilst 15 Squadron raids from the northwest. You'll cross over the bridges at different altitudes; this should help to split the flak. Once finished, you will head northwest while 15 Squadron clears out to the west. Make sure you return home intact; the Germans are getting closer to our BEF forces in France, and we will surely be needed there soon!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Blenheim Mk4-1 139 Sqn
"airfield_string"=England - Boxted
"title_string"=Battle of France (RAF) - Attack on Wallhaven airfield
"summary_string"=Listen up! German troops have captured the Dutch airfield at Waalhaven, so we wil attack and try to dislodge them while their grip on the field is still tenuous. Over Holland, you will rendezvous with a force of Swordfish biplanes, and inflict as much damage as you can on the enemy!
"objective_string"=The evening of 12 May 1940 saw six Beauforts of RAF 22 Squadron raid the German-held airfield at Waalhaven. They were accompanied by nine Fairey Swordfish of FAA 815 Sqn, based out of Bircham Newton. They were able to successfully attack the airfield and return to England just prior to 23:00 hours. However, during the attack, one Swordfish was shot down by flak. The overall impact of this raid is not known.
"intelligence_string"=After taking off, you will fly east-southeast over The Wash and East Anglia. If you have any engine trouble, you can land at Coltishall, near Norfolk. If all is well, head across the North Sea to attack Waalhaven airfield. Swordfish biplanes will meet you near the aerodrome, & you'll attack together. Concentrate on fuel stores, ammo crates, and any exposed transports. Once finished, fly back over the North Sea for home. The Swordfish will break off while over East Anglia. You may land there if chewed up, or continue back to Kirton-in-Lindsay. Good luck!
"player_aircraft_name_string"=Beaufort Mk I Bomber
"airfield_string"=England - Kirton-in-Lindsay
I'll do the French, Belgians, and Germans when I return...
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